CORD strategy to win by-elections

Anxious week for governors, MPs

By Geoffrey Mosoku and Daniel Nzia

KENYA: CORD af?liate parties have struck deals in a bid to retain the governor’s post and two parliamentary seats in forthcoming by-elections.

The opposition on Monday nominated its candidates for the fresh elections in Siaya County, Kibwezi West and Matungulu constituencies scheduled for October 17.

The rival coalitions are also closely watching events in courts this week as the fates of another seven leaders whose election was contested are decided.

In the CORD deal, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party will not ?eld a candidate for the Kibwezi West parliamentary by-election but instead will back TIP’s Kalembe Ndile. Ndile successfully challenged the election of Patrick Musimba (Independent), who was allied to the ruling Jubilee Coalition. Wiper apparently opted to back Ndile cautious about CORDcandidates splitting the votes.

Party chairman David Musila told The Standard they settled on Ndile due to his unwavering support of theCORD coalition and in the interest of the unity of Makueni County.

Musila added that the party had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ndile that he would work with the party in Parliament.

“We also considered the fact that Kalembe emerged the winner of the recount of votes ordered by the High Court sitting in Machakos,” he added.  Ndile will fight it out with Musimba.  Wiper also nominated the immediate former Matungulu MP Stephen Mule to defend his seat. “We saw no election offence Mule had committed and therefore the party will support him in his re-election bid,” declared the Kitui County Senator.

In the Siaya contest, old rivalries will play out once more as Rasanga is expected to face William Oduol of National Agenda party. URP has signalled it will field a candidate.

However, yesterday, Jubilee’s TNA and URP were yet to pick their candidates for the Siaya, Matungulu and Kibwezi by elections.

“So far we have not received any interest in the three constituencies but if one individual declares interest then the party shall nominate him/her,” said TNA Executive Director Joseph Mathai.

URP had also not selected their candidates for the three seats saying they still had time to consult.

“The deadline of September 2nd is for those parties that will conduct party primaries but we have time and are consulting to agree on formalities and individuals who will get direct nominations,” said URP secretary general Fred Muteti.

Strong candidate

Another Jubilee allied party, Narc, said they would be unveiling their candidates for Matungulu and Kibwezi west. “We are not conducting any nomination and in places we have more than two candidates, we will sit down with them and negotiate to agree on a strong candidate,” Narc party leader Kiema Kilonzo said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) had given political parties up to yesterday to finalise their internal primaries and resolve any disputes for the governor, MPs’ and County Assembly Wards (CAW). 

The three electoral zones are considered CORDstrongholds that explain the Jubilee Coalition’s reluctance. Jubilee Coalition is also at a disadvantage in Ukambani considering the bitter fall out occasioned by the Makueni Senate by election. That Kethi Kilonzo faces prosecution today will further complicate matters for the ruling coalition as CORD will hammer the narrative the regime is hounding her.

But the rival coalitions have set their eyes for other potential battles depending on the outcome of scores of judgments of election petitions beginning today.

Today, Yusuf Chanzu (UDF) will know whether he will continue to serve as Vihiga MP. Lurambi’s Raphael Otaalo (ODM) will know his fate on Wednesday.

Should either or both seats fall vacant, it could offer a test for reported Jubilee’s charm offensive in western Kenya.

Deputy President William Ruto has made forays in the region and some MPs from the region have pledged to work with Government.

On Wednesday the High Court will decide whether the election of Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch was valid. And on Thursday, Migori County governor Okoth Obado (Peoples Democratic Party) will hope the fate that befell his colleague, Rasanga, would not be served up on him.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM, however, would be praying that the courts nullify his election to have a second shot at the seat.

The bungled ODM nominations in the run up to the March 4 General Election are widely believed to have led to the party losing the seat.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000092625&story_title=cord-parties-strike-pacts-to-fend-jubilee-off-in-upcoming-by-elections&pageNo=2